My daughter, Lily, is turning 14 next week, and you might not realize just how remarkable that is. With her vibrant, rainbow-colored hair, her ever-present sneakers, and her cellphone in hand, she resembles a typical teenager. However, Lily is anything but ordinary. She is a fighter. For the past five years, she has been battling autoimmune encephalitis—a condition causing her body to attack her brain—as well as a mitochondrial disorder that has nearly taken her life on more than one occasion.
Life for Lily is delicate, and she relies on various supports to navigate it. She has a port in her chest for monthly infusions and a feeding tube for constant nutrition. These medical aids are generally hidden from view, so they don’t require much explanation. However, her service dog, Bella, is a different story and often attracts unwanted attention.
While Lily takes immense pride in Bella and is always willing to explain her role, this dog’s function is just as critical as any medical equipment. Unfortunately, many people fail to understand this, which can put Lily in danger. If Bella isn’t focused on her task, she may miss the scent that signals an impending seizure, leaving Lily vulnerable in public spaces.
Bella underwent 18 months of rigorous training by a professional organization. She can sense when Lily is about to seize—usually about five minutes beforehand—allowing Lily to take precautions. Bella is also trained to seek help if a seizure occurs unexpectedly. Since Bella joined our family, Lily has not faced any hospitalizations due to seizures, enabling her to enjoy a more normal life. For me, it offers peace of mind.
However, the curiosity and lack of awareness from the public can jeopardize this safety. Just last Friday, I experienced this firsthand.
I was at the store, quickly grabbing a mouthguard for my son’s football practice when Lily asked if she could browse near the jewelry section. Initially, I hesitated but decided to let her explore with Bella, hoping it would provide her some independence. Moments later, I received a frantic call from her. “Mom, they’re yelling at me! They won’t stop following me! I just said she’s a service dog!”
When I arrived, Lily was visibly distressed, pointing to two women who were loudly berating her. I calmly approached them and inquired about the situation. Instead of responding rationally, they continued to shout profanities about Lily and Bella being in the store. One of them even got a friend to join in. This chaos triggered a seizure for Lily, and Bella instinctively lay over her, providing comfort while still being berated by the adults. Their own children looked frightened.
Store security intervened, helping us to a private area. Reviewing the security footage, I saw Lily calmly attempting to explain to two curious children who approached Bella. However, the situation escalated when she firmly asked them not to pet her service dog. The adults’ inability to respect Lily’s boundaries put her in a perilous situation.
So please, respect the boundaries of those with service dogs. Dogs like Bella may be more appealing than medical devices like feeding tubes, but they are just as essential. If you distract a service dog, you risk the safety of the person they are trained to assist.
Bella is a happy dog, adored by Lily. She has her own toys and enjoys playtime, but when she is wearing her vest, she is working. The role of a service dog is not suited for every canine, but Bella thrives in it.
Following the incident, we pressed charges against those who harassed Lily. However, the emotional toll was far greater. The very dog meant to empower Lily inadvertently put her in a frightening situation due to someone else’s ignorance. Now, both she and Bella face new fears about the outside world.
This experience serves as a crucial lesson: when someone asks you not to pet their service dog, it’s not out of selfishness; they are simply trying to ensure their safety.
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Summary:
This article recounts a troubling incident where a fellow parent confronted a teenager with a service dog, leading to a distressing situation. The author emphasizes the importance of respecting boundaries around service dogs and highlights the critical role these animals play in the lives of their handlers. The experience underscores the need for awareness and education around service dogs and their functions.